Press review of Tuesday September 12, 2023: Focus on the Congolese judicial system and electoral disputes
In the news this Tuesday, the newspapers focus on the Congolese judicial system and the management of electoral disputes. A problem that is all the more important as the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently sitting illegally. Indeed, the nine judges of the Constitutional Court, appointed in July 2014 for a nine-year term, have found themselves in a delicate situation since July 15, 2023.
The newspaper Le Journal draws attention to this situation, emphasizing that the current composition of the Court cannot handle future electoral disputes. Professor Didier-Pierre Ndangi therefore calls on President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi to renew this Court from the start of the parliamentary term on September 15 in order to ensure adequate management of future electoral disputes.
Despite this situation, the daily Le Potentiel highlights the efforts made by the president of the Constitutional Court, Dieudonne Kamuleta, to improve the image of the Congolese judicial system. In particular, he strengthened the administrative and disciplinary regulation of the judiciary, by revitalizing the activity of the disciplinary chambers and restoring the function of the Office of the Superior Council of the Judiciary. Orders were also obtained from the Head of State to reclassify the composition of courts and prosecutorial offices throughout the country.
At the same time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) continues its work in view of the elections scheduled for December 20, 2023. The deputy rapporteur of the CENI, Paul Muhindo, went to Mbuji-Mayi to harmonize views between the body of management of elections and the competent courts for electoral disputes. He underlines the importance of collaboration between the CENI and the judiciary for the management of disputes linked to candidacies and the conduct of elections.
In summary, the question of the Congolese judicial system and the management of electoral disputes is at the center of the concerns of the Congolese press. Despite the problems linked to the composition of the Constitutional Court, initiatives are being taken to strengthen the functioning of the judicial system and ensure adequate management of future electoral disputes.